Apparatus and Method for Shaping Slabs of Material

ABSTRACT

A slab shaping system includes a slab shaping device. The slab shaping device includes a cutting device and de-burring device, wherein the cutting device and the de-burring device, respectively cut and de-burr a slab. According to an embodiment, the slab shaping system may include a plurality of spaced apart slab support beams that form at least one slot therebetween. According to an embodiment, the cutting device and de-burring device may be axially-aligned. A method for operating a slab shaping system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of positioning a plurality of slab support beams on a table to form at least one slot; positioning a slab over the slab support beams; positioning a cutting device and de-burring device of a slab shaping device in axial-alignment; and cutting and de-burring the cut in the slab along a length of the at least one slot.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is a Divisional patent application of application Ser.No. 11/454,555 filed on Jun. 16, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, whichclaims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/691,357,filed Jun. 17, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for shaping material.

BACKGROUND

Steel slabs of material are typically shaped using a variety oftechniques (such as slitting, cutting, etc.) Cutting machines typicallyinclude fixed devices that must be reconfigured/replaced when the shapeof the cut or the cut line change. Additionally, known cutting machinesmay accumulate harmful dross/waste product on or near the cuttingmachine during a cutting operation. As such, a need exists for animproved apparatus and method for shaping slab material that overcomesthe drawbacks associated with known cutting machines/techniques.

SUMMARY

A slab shaping system includes a slab shaping device. The slab shapingdevice includes a cutting device and de-burring device wherein thecutting device cuts the slab and the de-burring device de-burrs the slabproximate the slab cut. According to an embodiment, the slab shapingsystem may include a plurality of slab support beams that form at leastone slot. According to an embodiment, the cutting device and de-burringdevice may be axially-aligned and provides a cut and/or de-burrs theslab of material along a length of the at least one slot.

A method for operating a slab shaping system is disclosed. The methodincludes the steps of positioning a plurality of slab support beams on atable to form at least one slot, positioning a slab of material over theslab support beams; positioning a cutting device and de-burring deviceof a slab shaping device in axial-alignment; and providing a cut andde-burring the cut in the slab of material along a length of the atleast one slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a slab shaping system according to anembodiment wherein no slab is present;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of a slab shaping system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a slab shaping system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a slab shaping system according system to anembodiment wherein a slab is present;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of a slab shaping system according to anembodiment wherein a slab of material is positioned on the slab shapingsystem;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a slab shaping system according to an embodimentincluding a slab of material positioned on the slab shaping system;

FIG. 7A is a front view of a slab of material and a slab shaping deviceof a slab shaping system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7B is an embodiment of the system of FIG. 7A, wherein a capping toeis functionally positioned to offset the position of the slab; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of a slab of material and a slab shaping device ofa slab shaping system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred illustrative embodiments ofthe present disclosure are shown in detail. Although the drawingsrepresent some preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, thedrawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may beexaggerated to more clearly illustrate and explain the presentdisclosure. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intendedto be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the disclosure to theprecise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosure inthe following detailed description.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of a slab shaping system, which isshown generally at 10. According to the illustrated embodiment, the slabshaping system 10 includes a table 12 supported on beams 14. The table12 can be elevated at a distance, D, approximately equal to, forexample, ten or more feet from an underlying surface, S. Among otherthings, the elevated distance, D, of the table 12 can provide one ormore of the following benefits: (a) improved visibility for anoperator/crane driver (e.g., when loading or unloading a slab ofmaterial 16—slab 16 not shown in FIG. 1) to/from the table 12, (b)efficient removal of dross/metallic waste 11 (e.g., slag removal systemis represented in FIG. 4 by a wheeled cart 18) from underneath the table12; and/or (c) the creation of an additional clearance underneath thetable 12 for a slab de-burring device 20, which is referred to in theart as a “spyder.” Although the slag removal system is depicted aswheeled cart 18, any removal system including conveyor belts or the likemay be used. The slab of material 16 may include, but is not limited toslab steel. However, any material capable of being cut and de-barred canbe processed by the present invention.

According to an embodiment, each table 12 includes two or more slabsupport beams 22 generally extending longitudinally between crosssupports 23. Table 12 may include two or more cross supports 23 spacedbetween opposing end 24, 26 of the table 12. According to an embodiment,the slab support beams 22 may be positioned and spaced to define one ormore slots 28 that may extend partially or fully from one end 24 to theopposite end 26 of the table 12. Slots 28 may be, for example,approximately fifteen inches wide. However, it will be appreciated thatthe slab shaping system 10 is not limited to a specific dimension orshape of the slots 28. De-burring device 20 may travel adjacent,proximate, under, over or within the slot 28.

The de-burring device 20 and a cutting device 32 are included as part ofa slab shaping device 30. The slab shaping device 30, according to anembodiment, may travel fully or partially between ends 24, 26 of thetable 12 along longitudinal table axis 13. This travel may beaccomplished by way of a track system that couples device 30 to table12. The slab shaping device 30 generally includes a U-shaped carriagewhich carries a de-burring device 20 and a cutting device 32. Becausecutting device 32 and de-burring device 20 are coupled to a commonU-shaped carriage, they move in unison along longitudinal axis 13.Referring to FIG. 1, the U-shaped carriage 30 includes a base bodyportion 75 having an upper distal end 75′ and a lower distal end 75″, afirst arm 77 extending from the upper distal end 75′ in a firstdirection, and a second aim 79 extending from the lower distal end 75″in the first direction. In an embodiment, the base body portion 75, thefirst arm 77 and the second arm 79 form the U-shaped carriage 30 todefine a slab-receiving channel 81. Referring to FIG. 4, the slab 16 isarranged relative the U-shaped carriage 30 such that the slab 16 ispositioned within the slab-receiving channel 81. With reference to FIGS.1 and 4, in an embodiment, the cutting device 32 is coupled to the firstarm 77 and extends from the first aim 77 in a second direction that issubstantially orthogonal/perpendicular to the first direction fordirecting the cutting device 32 toward the upper face surface 42 of theslab 16 for cutting a slit 50 through the slab 16 from the entrance faceformed by the upper face surface 42 of the slab 16 to the exit faceformed by the lower, support surface 47 of the slab 16. The de-burringdevice 20 is coupled to the second arm 79 and extends from the secondarm 79 in a third direction that is substantiallyorthogonal/perpendicular to the first direction for directing thede-burring device 20 toward the lower, support surface 47 of the slab16. In an embodiment, the third direction is substantially opposite thesecond direction.

As seen in FIG. 4, the cutting device 32 provides a means 33 forslitting or cutting 50 slab 16. The slit or cut 50 may partially orfully extend into the slab 16. The means 33 may include, but is notlimited to a water saw, cutting torch, laser cutting tool, rubber wheel,or the like. According to an embodiment, cutting device 32 may, in someembodiments, be referred to as a torch and the slab shaping device 30may, in some embodiments, be referred to as a torch carriage U-frame(TCUF).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a shaping axis, A-A, may pass through thede-burring device 20, cutting device 32, and along the slit or cut 50 inthe slab of material 16. Although the illustrated embodiment may includea shaping axis, A-A, extending through the de-burring device 20 andcutting device 32, it will be appreciated that the slab shaping system10 is not limited to include this axial arrangement nor is it limited toinclude a de-burring device 20 and cutting device 32.

According to an embodiment, table 12 may further include toes 34 thatextend from the table 12 at a distance, T (FIG. 1). One or more toes 34can be used to assist an operator/crane driver in positioning of slab 16on the table 12. According to an embodiment, the toes 34 may extend to adistance, T, for example, approximately eighteen inches above a topsurface of table 12. Further, the slab shaping system 10 and associatedslab shaping device 30 does not require a slab 16 to reside against oneor more of the toes 34 in order for the slab shaping device 30 to cutfrom one end 24, 26 to another end 24, 26 along an edge 17 of the slabof the material 16. Therefore, if desired, the toes 34 may be usedprimarily or solely for guiding the operator/crane driver.

According to an embodiment, service supply lines 39 (such as thosecarrying water, oxygen, gas, electricity, compressed air, or the like)may be transported along the length of the table 12, for example, by acable track system 37. Further, control regulators and solenoid valvesmay, if desired, be located proximate the slab shaping device 30.According to an embodiment, a “home position” of the slab shaping device30 may permit access for maintenance purposes. If desired, numeroustables 12 can be grouped together and a common control center (“pulpit”)can be located between tables 12. For example, according to anembodiment, a pulpit can be included between each block of four tables12. The pulpit can be used to house, for example, a computer terminal,printer, programmable logic controller (PLC) and/or a labeling machine.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate, an end and top view of the slab shaping device30. The cutting device 32 and de-burring device 20 of the slab shapingdevice 30 can be adapted and configured to travel longitudinally (e.g.,lengthways) along the table 12 and slab 16. If desired, the cuttingdevice 32 and de-burring device 20 may be rigidly located (and, ifdesired, permanently located) in operational communication with oneanother along the shaping axis, A-A, so as to be substantially in anopposing operational alignment. Accordingly, the slab shaping system 10permits, inter alia, the ability to accurately align an associatedcutting device 32 and de-burring device 20, regardless of where a slab16 is positioned. This alignment permits both device 32 and device 20 totravel in a substantially “perfect” line along the shaping axis, A-A.Alternatively, selected portions of the slab shaping device 30 may bemanipulated by a motor 36, such as, for example, an electric motor.Moreover, the slab shaping system 10 may include variouscoordinated-movement features, accomplished by using, for example, arack 38 and pinion 40 assembly coupled to motor 36 and controlled by PLC41.

According to an embodiment, the up/down 43 and/or in/out 45 motion ofslab shaping device 30 may be controlled by a PLC 41. Motion 43 and 45may be orthogonal. Such controlled movements of the slab shaping device30 can, among other things, ensure that the cutting device 32 is in adesired position relative a particular surface of a slab 16 at all timesduring cutting. For instance, if a surface of slab 16 is bowed, thecutting device 32 may be moved up or down 43 (as it longitudinallytraverses slab 16) to maintain a preferred cutting distance from anupper face 42 of slab 16 and also to ensure that the de-burring device20 maintains a preferred position with respect to a lower face 47 underslab 16. Other associated positional or relevant information can bedetected by indexing arm 44 and/or laser 53 and sent to PLC 41 or anyother controller, or network of controllers. If desired, an in/out 45motion of the slab shaping device 30 can also be fully controlled by acontroller, for example, PLC 41.

According to an embodiment, when slab 16 is on the table 12, the slabshaping device 30 may be moved to a “cutting and/or de-burringposition.” Upon contacting an edge 17 of the slab of material 16 by ahorizontal slab shaping device indexing aim 46, the cutting device 32and de-burring device 20 may be positioned to a desired cutting and/orde-burring position. As slab 16 is being cut, the slab shaping device 30can travel both along the length of the slab of material 16, and alsolatitudinally 45. Latitudinal movement of device 30 allows device 30 tomove parallel to an edge of slab 16 even if slab 16 is not placedparallel to toes 34.

Latitudinal movement 45 of both device 32 and 20 can be accomplishedthrough two respectively associated movement mechanisms whose movementis coordinated by a central controller (e.g. PLC 41). Or, alternatively,the longitudinal movement 45 of devices 32 and 20 may be accomplished bymoving shaping device latitudinally 45. These types of movementmechanisms are well-known to those skilled in the art.

Although the slab shaping system 10 as illustrated show one cuttingdevice 32 and one de-burring device 20, it will be appreciated that theslab shaping system 10 may include more than one cutting device 32and/or more than one de-burring device 20. For example, if more than onecutting device 32 and de-burring device 20 are included, the more thanone cutting device 32 and de-burring device 20 may be arranged on theslab shaping device 30 in any desirable configuration or orientation.

For example, the movement between a pair of the cutting devices 32 (eachwith a respective, axially-aligned de-burring device 20) can be utilizedto shape a slab of material 16. In an embodiment, the cutting devices 32can start cutting slab 16 at opposite ends of slab 16. The cuttingdevices 32 may commence cutting slab 16 concurrently, or, in variousprogrammable, timed patterns, towards one another over the length ofslab 16. According to an embodiment, before the cutting devices 32contact one another (or “meet”) at a point along the length of the slabof material 16 (which can be, for example, the middle of the length ofthe slab of material 16), one of the cutting device 32 can besufficiently retracted or withdrawn (such as by returning to a startposition) to permit the other cutting device 32 to complete the desiredcut.

According to an embodiment, the associated PLC can be an ALLEN-BRADLEY®PLC, although it will be appreciated that one or multiple otherprogrammable logic controllers may be used. Various control parameters(inputs and outputs) must be accounted for and controlled. Someparameters may include ignition of the cutting device 32, “seeking theslab edge,” preheat time, acceleration curves, deceleration curves,cutting device off/on, regulation of cutting speed. These parameters canbe controlled by PLC 41 or in other software or hardware basedcontrollers.

The slab shaping system 10 of the present invention may furtheroptionally include any or all of the following features: (a) laserdistance/position measurement systems 53 (which can, for example,measure one or more slab parameters (e.g., measure the length or surfacecontour of the slab 16)), (b) On/Off control of the cutting device 32,including those using an ignition system, (c) SPC data and, if desired,an indirect or direct connection with computer networks or computersystems (e.g., computer systems connected by digital communicationnetwork (e.g. Ethernet)); (d) emergency stop controls; (e) fully orsemi-automatic system operations controlled remotely, such as by aremote-control, hand-held device, or the like; (1) various controlprocedures, including: (1) prohibiting an operator from cutting a slabof material 16 if data has not been sorted and properlytransferred/confirmed; (2) prohibiting the slab shaping device 30 fromcutting without a required identification of a slab of material 16; (3)prohibiting cutting of a slab of material 16 if the cutting device 32 isin a non-validated position; (4) if desired, in operation, removingslabs of material 16 from the table 12 and transferring the slabs ofmaterial 16 to outgoing cells; (5) building piles of slabs of material16 in which all slit edges are on the same side; and (6) providing twooperators for some applications.

Further, for quality control purposes, one or more digital video cameras49 or other visioning devices may be positioned in connection with eachcutting station. These one or more visionary devices may be stationed onmoving arm 51. Arm 51 substantially follows the exit cut line of theslab and/or the de-burring device 20 across the length of the slab ofmaterial 16 to capture, in digital video form, the image along thecomplete length of the slab of material 16 where the exit cut line isformed on the exit face 47 of the slab 16. Once captured in videoformat, each cutting process end result can be digitized and displayedon a video monitor (e.g., in a crane operators cabin or pulpit), ortransferred and/or stored on a computer network so persons can view andarchive the quality and character of the slab's exit cut line. Theoperator can, among other things, control the speed of the video (sloweror faster) as the video image collection takes place along the length ofthe cut. This image data allows an operator to visually inspect one ormore characteristics associated with the exit slit or cut line 52 acrossthe length of the slab 16 (such as abnormalities or imperfections)created during the cutting and/or de-burring process. If an undesirablecharacteristic is found by viewing the video information, a craneoperator can divert that slab 16 to a slab yard area where the defectcan be further inspected and/or corrected. Imperfections (as manifestedby the image data) can be screened by a human operator, or variousvision recognition software systems can be used to computer automate thequality screening process.

According to an embodiment, the digital representation of video data canbe viewed by a crane operator or an operator of the system (e.g., on thefloor) by way of a monitor or terminal, such as a hand-held device or aterminal screen, before or during the unloading process. If a defect isobserved or detected, the associated slab of material 16 can be moved,for example, by a crane, to a nearby area for visual inspection ordefect correction. Such inspection or correction may include manualmeans or processes.

Now referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, toes 34 have been described herein asmembers that are essentially fixed to table 12. Although thisarrangement is satisfactory for some applications, it may be desirableto position toes 34 along an axis 55 that is essentially parallel to atop surface of slab support beams 22. By allowing toes 34 to be adjustedalong axis 55, the position of slab 16 can be manipulated withoutadjusting cutting device 32 along axis 45. Toes 34 can be adjusted alongaxis 55 by any type of mechanical/hydraulic/or other actuator well-knownto those skilled in the art. The movement of toes 34 along axis 55 maybe controlled by one or more controllers, such as, for example, PLCcontroller 41. Although mechanisms can be added to move toes 34 alongaxis 55, such mechanisms add to the complexity of the overall invention.In instances where automated means to move 55 toes 34 are not practical,a similar effect can be obtained by fabricating a capping toe 57 that isdesigned to engage a respectively associated toe 34 (FIG. 7B). Thecapping toe 57 is adapted to positively engage toe 34 such that cappingtoe 57 will not be dislodged by the frictional engagement of slab 16during normal operation. By engaging capping toe 57 to toe 34, an offset“d” is established. Thereafter, any slab that is placed on table 12 willnecessarily be displaced by a distance “d.” Thus, capping toe provides asimple but yet effective, means for offsetting a slab with respect totoe 34. Although capping toe 57 is shown as manipulatable from the topof toe 34, it is contemplated within the scope of this invention thatcapping toe 57 may be elevatable from below toe 34. Also, capping toe 57can be manipulatable using human intervention or, simple drivemechanisms, well-known to those skilled in the art, may be used tomanipulate capping toe 57 into, and out of, its offset position.

The present invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative ofthe best mode or modes for carrying out the invention. It should beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to theembodiments of the invention described herein may be employed inpracticing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that themethod and apparatus within the scope of these claims and theirequivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention shouldbe understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations ofelements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or alater application to any novel and non-obvious combination of theseelements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and nosingle feature or element is essential to all possible combinations thatmay be claimed in this or a later application.

1-42. (canceled)
 43. A slab shaping system for cutting a slab,comprising: a slab shaping device including a U-shaped carriageincluding a first arm, a second arm and a base body portion, wherein thefirst aim extends from an upper distal end of the base body portion in afirst direction, wherein the second arm extends from a lower distal endof the base body portion in the first direction, wherein the base bodyportion, the first arm and the second arm form a slab-receiving channel,a cutting device coupled to the first arm, and a de-burring devicecoupled to the second arm.
 44. The slab shaping system according toclaim 43, further including: a table including at least two spaced apartslab support beams that define at least one slot therebetween, whereinthe de-burring device extends away from the second aim and is locatedwithin the at least one slot.
 45. The slab shaping system according toclaim 44, wherein the U-shaped carriage acts as a common carrier forcarrying both of the cutting device and the de-burring device such thatboth of the cutting device and the de-butting device are permitted tomove in unison in at least one common direction.
 46. The slab shapingsystem according to claim 44, wherein the table further includes: crosssupports for supporting said at least two spaced-apart slab supportbeams.
 47. The slab shaping system according to claim 46, wherein thetable is supported by beams, wherein the beams elevate the table to adistance.
 48. The slab shaping system according to claim 47, furtherincluding: a slag removal system positioned under the table forcollecting dross/waste cut from slab.
 49. The slab shaping systemaccording to claim 43, wherein the slab includes steel.
 50. The slabshaping system according to claim 43, wherein the cutting deviceincludes: at least one of a water saw, a cutting torch laser cuttingtool, or a rubber wheel.
 51. The slab shaping system according to claim43, further including: one or more toes that extend from the table at adistance that assist in the positioning of the slab on the plurality ofslab support beams.
 52. The slab shaping system according to claim 51,further including: one or more capping toes, wherein a capping toe ofthe one or more capping toes is adapted to engage arespectively-associated toe of the one or more toes for offsetting asurface of said respectively-associated toe by a distance.
 53. The slabshaping system according to claim 43, wherein the slab shaping deviceincludes: one or more detecting arms for detecting the position of anedge or face of the slab.
 54. The slab shaping system according to claim43, wherein the slab shaping device includes: at least one service foroxygen, gas, electricity, or compressed air, wherein said at least oneservice is transported along at least a portion of the length of thetable by a cable track system.
 55. The slab shaping system according toclaim 43, wherein the slab shaping device is coupled to said table, byway of a track system; wherein the track system is effective for movingthe shaping device along a longitudinal axis of said table.
 56. The slabshaping system according to claim 55, further including: first means formanipulating at least one of said cutting device and said de-burringdevice along a first axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis ofsaid table.
 57. The slab shaping system according to claim 56, furtherincluding: second means for manipulating at least one of said cuttingdevice and said de-burring device along a second axis perpendicular tosaid longitudinal axis of said table and also perpendicular to saidfirst axis.
 58. The slab shaping system according to claim 43, whereinthe first and second means for manipulating is controlled by: aprogrammable logic controller.
 59. The slab shaping system according toclaim 43, further including: one or more lasers to measure one or moreslab parameters.
 60. The slab shaping system according to claim 43,further including: a hand-held terminal for fully or semi-automaticcontrol of the slab shaping device.
 61. The slab shaping systemaccording to claim 43, further including: one or more video cameras forcapturing an image of the cut.
 62. The slab shaping system according toclaim 61, wherein the digital image is processed using: visionrecognition software to determine at least one characteristic of thecut.
 63. The slab shaping system according to claim 46, wherein the slabshaping device is elevatable relative the table by a motor, rack, andpinion.
 64. A slab shaping system for forming a cut in a slab,comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart slab support beams that form atleast one slot; a slab shaping device including a cutting device andde-burring device, wherein the cutting device and the de-burring deviceare both coupled to a common carrier, wherein the cutting device formsthe cut in the slab and the de-burring device de-burrs the slabproximate the cut, wherein the common carrier provides means forsynchronously-manipulating an orientation of both of the cutting deviceand the de-burring device along one or more spatial directions relativethe slab.
 65. The slab shaping system according to claim 64, wherein theplurality of slab support beams are supported by: one or more crosssupports.
 66. The slab shaping system according to claim 65, wherein theplurality of slab support beams and the one or more cross supports form:a table, wherein the table is supported by beams.
 67. The slab shapingsystem according to claim 66, further including: a slag removal systempositioned under the table for collecting dross/waste cut from the slab.68. The slab shaping system according to claim 64, wherein the slabincludes steel.
 69. The slab shaping system according to claim 64,wherein the cutting device includes: a cutting torch.
 70. The slabshaping system according to claim 64, further including: one or moretoes that extend from the table at a distance, wherein the one or moretoes assist in the positioning of the slab on the plurality of slabsupport beams.
 71. The slab shaping system according to claim 70,further including: one or more capping toes adapted to engage arespectively-associated toe of the one or more toes for offsetting asurface of said respectively-associated toe by a distance.
 72. The slabshaping system according to claim 64, wherein the slab shaping deviceincludes: one or more indexing arms for sensing the location of an edgeor face of the slab for indexing and/or positioning the cutting deviceand the de-burring device relative to the slab.
 73. The slab shapingsystem according to claim 64, wherein the slab shaping device includes:services for at least one of oxygen, gas, electricity, or compressed airthat are made available along a longitudinal length of the table, by acable track system.
 74. The slab shaping system according to claim 64,further including: means for simultaneously-manipulating both of thecutting device and the de-burring device along at least one of anup/down axis, and an in/out axis.
 75. The slab shaping system accordingto claim 64, further including: one or more lasers to measure one ormore characteristics of the slab.
 76. The slab shaping system accordingto claim 64, further including: one or more digital video cameraspositioned to capture images of the cut.
 77. The slab shaping systemaccording to claim 74, further including: a vision recognition systemcoupled to said video cameras.
 78. The slab shaping system according toclaim 65, wherein the slab shaping device is elevatable relative totable by, a motor, rack, and pinion drive mechanism.
 79. A slab shapingsystem, comprising: a table; a plurality of slab support beamspositioned on the table, wherein the plurality of slab support beamsfoam at least one slot; a U-shaped carriage including a first arm, asecond arm and a base body portion, wherein the first arm extends froman upper distal end of the base body portion in a first direction,wherein the second arm extends from a lower distal end of the base bodyportion in the first direction, wherein the base body portion, the firstarm and the second arm form a slab-receiving channel; a cutting devicecoupled to the first aim; and a de-burring device coupled to the secondarm, wherein the de-burring device extends away from the second arm andis located within the at least one slot.
 80. The slab shaping systemaccording to claim 79, further comprising: a quality control device thatincludes one or more visioning devices positioned upon a moving arm,wherein the quality control device provides means for imaging one ormore of an entrance face of a slab and an exit face of the slab, anddisplaying at least one characteristic of a slit that was cut throughthe slab from the entrance face to the exit face by the cutting device.81. The slab shaping system according to claim 80, wherein the one ormore visioning devices includes: an imaging camera, wherein the imagingcamera follows the de-burring device and is movable along an exit cutline formed by the slit to provide means for imaging the slit.
 82. Theslab shaping system according to claim 81, further comprising: automatedvision recognition software to provide means for analyzing at least onecharacteristic of the exit cut line formed by the slit for detecting oneor more abnormalities and imperfections associated with the exit cutline for correcting the one or more abnormalities and imperfectionsassociated with the exit cut line.
 83. The slab shaping system accordingto claim 79 further comprising a programmable logic controller thatprovides means for manipulating up/down spatial orientation of theU-shaped carriage relative a slab for adjustably-maintaining a spacingbetween the cutting device and an upper face surface of the slab as wellas the de-burring device and a lower, support surface of the slab whenthe U-shaped carriage is utilized for cutting and de-burring the slab.84. The slab shaping system according to claim 79 further comprising alaser distance/position measurement system that provides means fordetermining a surface contour of the slab.
 85. The slab shaping systemaccording to claim 79, wherein the cutting device is positioned oppositean upper face surface of a slab to provide means for cutting a slitthrough the slab from an entrance face formed by the upper face surfaceof the slab to an exit face formed by a lower, support surface of theslab, wherein the slit forms an exit cut line on the exit face, whereinthe de-burring device is positioned opposite the exit face of the slabproximate a location of the exit cut line formed by the slit to providemeans for de-burring the slab proximate the exit cut line on the exitface.
 86. The slab shaping system according to claim 79, wherein theU-shaped carriage provides means for commonly-carrying both of thecutting device and the de-burring device relative a slab for adjustably-and correspondingly-maintaining a spacing between the cutting device andan upper face surface of the slab as well as the de-burring device and alower, support surface of the slab, wherein a cutting operation and ade-burring operation performed by the U-shaped carriage are permitted tobe conducted during a manipulation of one or more of an up/down andin/out spatial orientation of the U-shaped carriage.
 87. A method foroperating a slab shaping system that cuts and de-burrs a slab, whereinthe slab includes a plurality of face surfaces including at least anupper face surface and a lower, support surface, wherein the upper facesurface forms an entrance face of the slab and the lower, supportsurface forms an exit face of the slab, comprising the steps of:providing a U-shaped carriage including a base body portion including anupper distal end and a lower distal end, a first arm extending from theupper distal end in a first direction, and a second aim extending fromthe lower distal end in the first direction, wherein the base bodyportion, the first arm and the second arm form the U-shaped carriage todefine a slab-receiving channel; arranging the slab relative theU-shaped carriage such that the slab is positioned within theslab-receiving channel; providing a cutting device that is coupled tothe first arm, wherein the cutting device extends from the first arm ina second direction, wherein the second direction is substantiallyorthogonal to the first direction, wherein the cutting device isdirected toward the upper face surface of the slab for cutting a slitthrough the slab from the entrance face formed by the upper face surfaceof the slab to the exit face formed by the lower, support surface of theslab, wherein the slit forms an exit cut line on the exit face; andproviding a de-burring device that is coupled to the second aim, whereinthe de-burring device extends from the second arm in a third direction,wherein the third direction is substantially orthogonal to the firstdirection, wherein the third direction is substantially opposite thesecond direction, wherein the de-burring device is directed toward thelower, support surface of the slab for de-burring the exit face of theslab proximate a location of the exit cut line formed by the slit at theexit face, wherein the cutting and de-burring steps are permitted to beconducted during manipulation of one or more of an up/down and/or in/outspatial orientation of the U-shaped carriage that commonly carries bothof the cutting device and the de-burring device relative the slab foradjustably-maintaining a spacing between the cutting device and theupper face surface of the slab as well as the de-burring device and thelower, support surface of the slab.
 88. The method according to claim87, wherein prior to the cutting and de-burring steps, furthercomprising the step of: determining a surface contour of the slab,wherein the surface contour defines the slab to be bowed, wherein theup/down spatial orientation of the U-shaped carriage is controlled by aprogrammable logic controller for adjusting the spatial orientation ofthe U-shaped carriage relative to the bowed surface contour of the slabfor adjustably-maintaining the spacing between: the cutting device andthe upper face surface of the bowed surface contour of the slab as wellas the de-burring device and the lower, support surface of the bowedsurface contour of the slab.